Travelling fulltime is enormously fulfilling and offers tremendous growth opportunities … to connect with local people and hear their stories, learn about different cultures, explore different places and all the little things that make each feel special, to overcome fears and become self-reliant.
Planning
The one thing I’ve found is that it is really important is to plan ahead – where to go, where to stay – and of course to budget. I’ve learned this the hard way! Without planning, it’s easy to feel scattered with little time to enjoy the day. If you’re moving on every two or three days or worrying about finances, it can be exhausting and it’s no fun.
A win-win
House-sitting can be a way to have a meaningful stay, to travel more slowly and live like a local. On a practical level, the opportunity is to help others by taking care of their home and much-loved pets while their owners are away. It’s a win-win exchange of energy. The homeowner saves pet boarding fees, pets are happiest at home in their own routine, there’s peace of mind in that their home is secure with someone there to deal with emergencies. While you provide loving care, you enjoy free accommodation which helps with the cost of long-term travel, and the responsibility gives a sense of making a difference.
There can still be uncertainty, agreements can be changed, there’s no guarantee where you will be living next month, you don’t know how it will be at the next place, yet it makes life easier, and if you keep a calendar, it provides some structure. You can still have time just for you, for fun and not house-sit. It’s all part of the experience of change and sometimes it goes well, other times…you learn from mistakes! One thing is for sure…taking care of pets you never feel alone, they are great company… and can be very handsome!
Pets
Of course, you are expected to take good care of the home and follow instructions regarding care of pets and it’s great to communicate with the owner whilst they travel to put their mind at rest.
I’ve used Aussie House Sitters and Kiwi House-Sitters and found that they provide an excellent service, the websites are easy to navigate and communication between owner and sitter is really efficient.